Venture Life Share Discussion Threads

[apad] 02/4/2018 12:37

PTSG has an edge because it sells special services, red. So, not entirely comparable.
I think their built in systems are high capital items.
apad

[attrader] 02/4/2018 11:43

Spot on red. Due to these challenges, Online Grocery shopping is under-penetrated at 7% but growing at 10+% a year. I think minimum order limit (around £50) for free delivery is too much for people. We have 40% single population ordering less than £30 per week. I do think limit will come down at some point which should result in further online growth.

Amazon threat is significant if they spend big and build out complete network. Not sure where they are going after Whole Food acquisition...I tried to order from Amazon Fresh but they asked for Amazon Fresh membership to order groceries which is bit too much for a customer only looking for groceries once in a while.

I think all supermarkets will need a cost effective solution for online deliveries. If Ocado can sell them on proven solutions including web portal, automated CFCs and 50% return on investment it can win big. 4 partnerships so far - will be interesting to see how it pans out..

[redartbmud] 02/4/2018 10:12

A bit like PTSG

You have a man and a van.
1. How much per day to pay the man, with NI, hol pay, pensions, sickness?
2. Capital cost/lease of van write off - including RFL, insurance, repairs and servicing, plus fuel.
3. How many trips in a day @ zero income (promotions), discounts, freebies to customers for discrepancies and full rate.

Warehousing/depots.
1. Logistics systems.
2. Floor staff receiving goods, picking and loading.
3. Admin staff
a) receiving orders.
b) preparing order paperwork and organizing routes.
c) stock control/supplier liaison.
d) collecting cash.
e) financial control.
4. Overheads.

It goes on. Amazon regulate when you can breathe, pee etc. Transgress twice and you are out. At present they pack and use third party couriers and the delivery costs are factored into the transaction more advantageously.
Amazon screw suppliers till the pips squeak!

Logistical challenge.

red

[apad] 02/4/2018 09:55

Amazon competition?
apad

[redartbmud] 02/4/2018 08:12

attrader

Friend is hooked on Ocado.
Their service is superb, keeping her informed about time of delivery.
They carry the groceries and consumables into the kitchen.
Fresh produce is delivered from a hub and hasn't sat on a supermarket shelf for many hours/days.
If they cannot supply the exact product, the substitute is normally acceptable.
Occasionally, she receives something not on the list, that she is allowed to keep without cost.
If something is missing, there is compensation.
Occasionally there is a loyalty gift.

The cost isn't excessive, but they deliver at a loss.
There is stiff competition from all of the major supermarkets.
I would have thought that, given the saturation of supply/demand, they should be in profit by now.
Research on that area is key.

Just a Ramble from Rugby.

red

[attrader] 01/4/2018 23:12

Been reading about Ocado... Few thoughts..

- They operate in growing online grocery shopping market and gaining market share
- Impressive ROIC on matures CFCs of above 50%
- New strategy to provide solutions to supermarkets is gaining traction and can be significant..
- Trustpilot reviews are good
- No profits yet but they should generate increasing margins once delivery network is matured and cost of an additional delivery goes down significantly..

I'll read more and report back..

[redartbmud] 01/4/2018 17:46

Beaufort Securities - from the Website:
Commenting on progress on the administrations of BACSL, Nigel Rackham, joint administrator of BSL and joint special administrator of BACSL, said:

“Since our appointment, the priority has been safeguarding the key client data and critical systems used to run the Firms’ business as well as clients' cash and assets.

“We have now identified and ringfenced £50m in segregated client money accounts alongside freezing close to £850m in client assets.

“In respect of the client assets there are a number of open positions and transactions which need to be resolved and concluded. This may impact the total once a final reconciliation takes place.”

Commenting on the outlook, Nigel Rackham added:

“We do forecast a substantial return to clients after costs, although this may take some time to implement and we do not see any returns commencing before mid-April as there are a number of challenges to overcome.

“These include carrying out an assessment of the accuracy of the Firms' books and records, devising new processes to move the holdings of all clients in an orderly and appropriate way, and preparing cost estimates for these activities.”

This is a very significant and complicated insolvency and in terms of timescales it could take many months to complete the returns to clients. Additionally, the available funds within the Firms' own resources are very limited. Therefore, the costs of returning client money and client assets will in all likelihood be deducted from clients' recoveries.

The joint administrators have conducted a preliminary meeting with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, focussing on minimising disruption and losses to clients.

*In our 2 March announcement we included the following sentence based on preliminary information. “Customer entitlements include ca. £37m of client money and £664m in client assets.” It is clear given the better information now recovered that entitlements will be closer in magnitude, if not exceeding, the amounts identified above of £50m and £850m.

red

[apad] 01/4/2018 11:16

Usual problem with rankings like this is one is not comparing like with like. Never got on with them, for that reason dacian.
Don't you just luv the way that Harrison underpromises and overdelivers. Siemens are 'excited', Harrison is 'optimistic'.

Finished looking at Polarean (Phase III trial for its imaging technology is expected to begin in early second-quarter 2018 and is expected to last for about 18 months as it prepares its NDA to the regulatory agency.)
It's floated by Ampheon, who also floated Kromek in which it has sold its shares.
I think Polarean has more potential than Kromek, but I suspect that the financial interests will control the company and there will be a lot of publicity to popularise the company with PIs. I might keep watching, but I'm not buying now.
FWIW.

apad

[janeann] 31/3/2018 09:16

and keeps the slugs away as well no doubt!

[apad] 31/3/2018 09:16

I liked the argument about preparing for future income on the ACSO presentation.
Keep an eye on lego sales!
apad

[apad] 31/3/2018 09:06

It's an elegant sculpture in the winter, j.

[janeann] 31/3/2018 09:04

acso interview also impressive.

runner beans - we have used a redundant old kids climbing frame - serves the purpose very well - with a bit of coconut string - and has done for some 15 years now. Save the pipe for plumbing!

[redartbmud] 31/3/2018 08:42

APAD

Was that a 'copper bottomed' investment?

red

[apad] 31/3/2018 08:28

Thanks for the link to CSN interview, Lauders. Impressive.

At the bottom of the last copper cycle I bought 15mm copper pipes to make a wigwam for runner beans!

apad😎

[bluerunner] 31/3/2018 00:21

Dorset - I agree.ASR - Asiamet Resources - is one of my top 3 holdings (along with CAML and UAI).Global infrastructure needs / EV developments.Chinese communist party 100th year anniversary 2021. They will want strong economy - stimulate in 2020. Biggest copper importers / users.Not so much "perfect storm" as "sweet spot".

[dorset64] 30/3/2018 23:55

For cyclical investments ,in my opinion attrader, copper is arriving towards its very own long term perfect storm. With the production of the metal going into deficit due to the shelving of a host of projects given the historic low copper prices, it is now starting its climb due to the huge upturn in its usage from the Electric Vehicle & Solar Panels/infrastructure boom.

To this end you then have to find a business of where the owners have taken a small co. & turned it into a $B one,hve for the past few years been taking shares instead of salaries and have taken the share price from 1.5p to over 12p now, and all this even before the fun gets started.

In my opinion there are not any other cyclical shares on the stock market today as a better investment right now than ARS - Asiamet Resources. I firmly believe within 3 years, if not taken out the share price will be above £1.00.

Happy to hear your views on it as it is now by far my largest holding and above UOG.

[attrader] 30/3/2018 19:11

Capital Returns has inspired me to investigate good cyclical business at cyclical troughs.. My problem is that it is difficult to time cyclical bottom.. and cheapness can be quite dangerous..

For instance, DNOW could be a potential candidate if someone can predict oil price few years down the line..

Anyhow, for fun, bashing a script to filter good cyclical businesses at cheap valuations..

[attrader] 30/3/2018 19:03

From my experience, I have found trustpilot reviews to be impartial, they dont filter what users post. A few links for Boo & Superdry below..

[apad] 30/3/2018 18:44

attraderr I get confused about the user review data. Do you have a view about where there is good data?
apad

[apad] 30/3/2018 18:39

The SOS founders are a couple of fashion journalists, H.
Poisoned chalice!
apad